Festal: Irish Festival, March 11-12

Seattle Center Festál: Irish Festival Seattle, 12 p.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, March 11 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday, March 12, in Seattle Center Armory, forms the centerpiece of monthlong festivities in celebration of St. Patrick’s Day in Seattle. Irish Festival draws in our broad community and welcomes official Irish visitors to participate in activities that enliven Irish culture and heritage in the Pacific Northwest

Accompanying a full schedule of live Irish music and dance on the Armory Main Stage are: an exhibit of photography of Ireland’s western edge by Seattle-based photographer Doug Plummer; the Irish Reels Film Festival, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. both days; Irish soda bread cooking demonstrations, 2 p.m.-3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday and basic Irish genealogy, 1 p.m. both days. Uilleann piper Eliot Grasso explores the “Political Pressures on Irish Music,” 1 p.m. on Sunday, and the festival offers big games for children 12 p.m.-5 p.m. on both days and two contests, the “Most Irish-looking Face,” 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, and the “Smilingest Irish Eyes,” 1:45 p.m. on Sunday.

In 2017, Seattle Center Festál celebrates 20 years of global music, dance, art, crafts, history, food and insight presented through a unique partnership among community organizations and Seattle Center. This illuminating series of cultural festivals, held on weekends throughout the year, seeks to connect people in ways that build understanding, dispel stereotypes and generate pride among the generations who participate in these shared experiences. Festál provides a stage and platform for their traditions, accomplishments and artistic expression, captivating and enlightening festival-goers as they experience the distinct cultures that shape the character and course of our broader community.

Seattle Center Festál is a program of Seattle Center Productions. Admission is free-of-charge. For more information on Irish Festival, visit www.irishclub.org, and to learn more about this collection of ethnic cultural events and other Seattle Center public programming, visit www.seattlecenter.com or call 206-684-7200.